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Florida Holds Off Memphis at Garden

In a tight, highly entertaining matchup in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night, No. 16 Florida held off No. 15 Memphis, 77-75, for its second consecutive win over a ranked opponent.

Florida jumped ahead by 12, but Memphis (7-2) came back to make it a close game by halftime. The Gators (8-2) had a hard time holding on to possession, allowing several steals and turnovers to keep giving Memphis opportunities.

The Tigers trailed by 5 with 1 minute 9 seconds left, but missed free throws by Dorian Finney-Smith and Scottie Wilbekin left the door open. With Memphis trailing, 77-75, with 10.8 seconds left in the last possession, Joe Jackson’s layup attempt missed before time expired.

Both teams featured seasoned lineups, deep with rangy and athletic talent. Florida is often noted for its defensive ability, but Memphis looked equally impenetrable in spurts.

In the first game of the doubleheader, Titus Rubles tipped in the game-winner with 4.2 seconds left to lift Cincinnati (8-2) past previously unbeaten Pittsburgh, 44-43. The teams combined to 5 of 26 from 3-point range. LOUISVILLE 90, MISSOURI ST. 60 Montrezl Harrell had 17 points and 8 rebounds as No. 6 Louisville won easily at home. The Cardinals (10-1) combined dominant rebounding with offensive accuracy during a 15-0 first-half run. (AP)

WICHITA STATE 72, ALABAMA 67 Cleanthony Early scored 26 points and Fred VanVleet made two free throws with 11 seconds left to lift No. 11 Wichita State (11-0) over host Alabama. (AP)

MICHIGAN ST. 78, N. FLORIDA 48 Adreian Payne scored 15 of his 19 points in the first half and fifth-ranked Michigan State (9-1) rolled to a victory at home. Branden Dawson added 12 points and Denzel Valentine scored 11 for the Spartans (9-1). Michigan State narrowly avoided an upset against Oakland last weekend.

Jalen Nesbitt scored 11 points for North Florida (5-7). Michigan State led 50-19 at halftime after shooting 71 percent. (AP)

Photo

Patric Young of Florida grabs a rebound over Joe Jackson from Memphis.Credit
Seth Wenig/Associated Press

OKLA. ST. 75, DELAWARE ST. 43 Le’Bryan Nash had 14 points and eight rebounds to lead No. 7 Oklahoma State (10-1) at home.

Markel Brown added 14 points for the Cowboys (10-1). Oklahoma State led, 30-16, at halftime and went on an 18-2 run to start the second half. (AP)

PROVIDENCE 76, YALE 74 Bryce Cotton finished with 21 points as Providence held on for a win at home. Tyler Harris added 19 points and LaDontae Henton had 13 for the Friars (9-2). The Yale sophomore Justin Sears went 13 of 16 from the field and led all scorers with 31 points. (AP)

TENNESSEE 94, TENNESSEE ST. 43 Bashaara Graves scored 17 points to lead five Lady Vols in double figures and No. 3 Tennessee continued its best start since its 2007-8 national championship season. (AP)

HOLY CROSS SUIT HEARD The parties in a lawsuit brought by a former Holy Cross women’s basketball player met in United States District Court in Manhattan to discuss whether a trial should proceed in federal or state court.

In a complaint filed Oct. 16 against Holy Cross, its trustees and its women’s basketball coach, Bill Gibbons, the former player Ashley Cooper accused Gibbons of verbally and physically abusing her from September 2011 until May 2013.

ZACH SCHONBRUN

A version of this article appears in print on December 18, 2013, on Page B16 of the New York edition with the headline: Florida Holds Off Memphis at Garden . Order Reprints|Today's Paper|Subscribe